Indicator board



J. R. COLLINS INDICATOR BOARD Feb. 16, 1932.

INVENTOR Jam es. (@Zz-f/s Filed March 31, 1930 IM a. H

ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 16, 1932 i JAMES R. COLLINS, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN INDICATOR BOARD .Applicationled Marchl, 1930. Serial No. 440,406.

The invention relates to indicator Vboards more particularly designed for use by sales agencies for the indication of the condition of stock. It is the object of the invention to obtain a const-ruction which can be easily adjusted from day to day and which at all times will give the observer a comprehensive understanding of the condition of the business. To this end the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the device;

Figure 2 is a front elevation showing a portion of the board;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section;

Figure Li is a cross section through one of the indicator bars on line 4 4 of Figure 2 and Figure 5 is a cross section through said bar on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

In cert-ain lines of sales such for instance. as the resale of used automobiles, it is very essential to the success of the organization that the management and salesmen should keep in mind the condition of the stock. Thus it is desirable to know just how long a particular car has been held in stock. It is equally important to know the condition of its purchase or trade-in and many` other things about it such as the model, year, the

cost of reconditioning, etc. As changes occur each day it is necessary that the indicator should be capable of being quickly adjusted correspondingly, thus keeping the record fully up to date.

To accomplish this purpose I have devised a construction of indicator preferably in the form of an easel which may be set up in any convenient location for observance. The

parallel sides are preferably formed of angle bars A in front ofV which are arranged bars B, preferably of channel cross section, and separated fromthe front iange of the angle by spacer blocks C at their upper and e5 lower ends. The parallel side bars are connected to each other by cross bars or plates D arranged at top and bottom and forming thereof a rectangular frame. E are rearwardly inclined supporting legs attached to 50 the bars A at their upper ends and also conremains in stock.

nected near the bottombyy braces F and a cross brace Gr thereby forming a stable support for the easel in inclined position.

yThe indicators for individual cars or other merchandise held in stock are formed by bars which extend transversely of the easel frame and may be inserted in the space betweenfthe angle bars A andfront bars B. Each of these indicator bars H is preferably formed of sheet metal having return bent side edges I for the holding of an indicator card or strip. As shown, a portion of the bar H to the left of the center of the panel is adapted to receive a card strip J whichhas placed thereon information relating to the particular car such as stock number, date, make, model, year, price at which it is taken in, estimated reconditioning cost, actual cost of reconditioning, estimated selling price, actual selling price, etc. This data is all visible from the front while the card is held in position by the return bent iianges I. The

remainder of the bar is utilized for indicatingY the time that thecar has been held in stock.

thirty and sixty days, between sixty andv ninety days, sold but not delivered, etc. The indicators may be any suitabledevice that may be adjusted longitudinaliy of the bar into the desired position. As shown, they are in the form of spring clips Ii having flanges K for hooking into the return bent flanges I of the bar- H with sufficienttension to hold the clip from accidental movement. Thus the attendant can easily slide the clip along the bar to any, desired position which will indicate the Vlength of time that the car has been 4in stock and from day to day these clips are advancedone space as long as the car I also preferably form the clips K of diiferent coiors or shades respectively indicating l something further about the particular car which each represents.. For instance, if a car has been sold and has been returnedV for failure to comply with the contract, this may be indicated by a clip of .particular color ory design. InI the same manner other information may be conveyed by the specific design or color ot clips used.

In operation the bars correspond in number to the cars in stock and are provided with properly marked cards J and with clips K of the proper color or design and these bars are then inserted through the slot between the angle bars A and front bars B across the open space and into engagement with the slot between the bars on the other side. The end portion of the bars H have flanges L of sufficient width to fill the space between the bars A and B thereby holding the bars H in position. The bars H of the whole series will then rest one upon the other, the lowermost one resting upon the filler block C. The height of the frame is suliicient to receive the maximum number that will be required for the stock held at any one time. lVhenever the car is sold and delivered its corresponding bar H will be removed by withdrawing it laterally from engagement with the frame and this may be accomplished without regard to its position in the series. Each day the attendant will advance the clips K which represent the time that the cars have been held in stock and also make any other correotions of adjustments necessary. The panels D at the top and bottom of the frame may be used for any general information concerning the stock and the top panel is preferably marked with the days of the month which are in line with the spaces marked oit on the individual bars H.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A stock indicator comprising a frame having spaced slotted side bars, cross bars insertable through the slot in one of said side bars into engagement with the opposite side bar and forming a series extending vertical- 1y of the frame7 means on each of said bars for holding an indicator strip having data relating to the article in stock represented by the bar and additional indicating means on each bar adjustable to represent the length of time that the article has remained in stock.

2. A stock indicator comprising a frame having slotted side bars, cross bars insertable through the slot in one ot' said side bars into engagement with the opposite side bar and together forming a vertical series, each cross bar being provided with return bent side flanges for receiving and holding an indicator strip and a spring clip engageable with each bar and slidable there-along to indicate the length of time which the article represented has remained in stock.

3. A stock indicator comprising a frame having arallel upwardly extending and inclined slde bars and supporting legs therefor, each of said side bars having spaced front and rear portions forming a slot therebetween, cross bars insertable through the slot of one of said side bars into engagement 

